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Sunrise 6:40 a.m. | Sunset 8:57 p.m.
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Food

The history of the mint julep
A pair of silver mint juleps glasses being cheersed in front of a horse statue
The traditional silver cup lets you see just how frosty the drink inside is. | Photo by Louisville Tourism
It’s the final day of Drink Up Week sponsored by Heine Brothers Coffee, so we’ve got local drinks on the mind.

Yesterday we brought you The Louisville, but today we’re looking at another cocktail that is inextricably tied to Derby City — emphasis on the Derby. That is, of course, the mint julep.

The early days

The mint julep has its origins as a medicinal drink dating at least as far back as the 1700s. In those days, a julep was a mix of alcohol, sugar, herbs, and water. Rum was the most common spirit, though brandy was also a popular choice. It wasn’t until farmers and distillers flocked to Kentucky to avoid whiskey taxes in the 1790s that whiskey — and more specifically bourbon — became the standard.

The mint julep made the transition from medicinal to recreational over the course of many years, but several prominent Black bartenders in the early 19th century helped cement its status. John Dabney, an enslaved man, was a bartender in Richmond, VA who popularized the “Julep a la Dabney,” served in a large bucket with a pile of fresh fruit. Once he bought his freedom, he opened his own restaurant, where he would continue serving juleps.

A crowd scene at the kentucky derby featuring multiple mint julep glass stands

Crowds flock to buy mint julep glasses at the 1957 Derby, 8 for $5 — those glasses go for about $75 each these days.

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Photo courtesy ASC, UofL

Derby time

The marriage of the Kentucky Derby and the mint julep is largely one of convenience — bourbon is as central to Kentucky’s identity as horse racing. But what about those glasses?

The famous commemorative mint julep glasses were originally water glasses from the Churchill Downs dining room. They were so popular during the 1938 Derby that they “went missing” at an alarming rate. The track began selling them as souvenirs — and the mint julep became the official cocktail of the Derby just one year later.
Asked

Are you a mint julep fan?
A. Yes, it’s one of my favorites
B. Only during Derby season
C. No thanks, it’s not for me
Let's get muddling
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Events
Friday, July 26
  • NuLu Food & History Walking Tour | Friday, July 26 | 1-4 p.m. | NuLu, 636 E. Main St., Louisville | $109-$129 | Taste Kentucky staples like bourbon balls and fried chicken while you tour historic locations and sip on bourbon.
Saturday, July 27
  • The Underground Lou’s 100th Issue Celebration | Saturday, July 27-Sunday, July 28 | 6-9 p.m. | Roots 101 African American Museum, 124 N. 1st St., Louisville | $0-$25 | Celebrate the 100th issue of Underground Lou and the second birthday of the Roots 101 Museum.
  • Straight No Chaser | Saturday, July 27 | 7:30 p.m. | Iroquois Amphitheater, 1080 Amphitheater Rd., Louisville | $31-$81 | See the a capella group perform a 1990’s themed show in the historic outdoor arena.
  • Louisville Street Food Festival | Saturday, July 27-Sunday, July 28 | 12 p.m.-8 p.m. | Fourth Street Live!, 411 S. 4th St., Louisville | $9.99-$54.99 | Sample $5 food options while enjoying activities like axe throwing, mechanical bull riding, and a kids zone.
Sunday, July 28
  • Hippie Social | Sunday, July 28 | 12-3 p.m. | 3rd Turn Oldham Gardens, 6300 Old Lagrange Rd., Crestwood | Cost of purchase | Bust out your flared jeans, flower accessories, and all things hippie themed for this social event.
  • More than Friends: RNB Only Day Party | Sunday, July 28 | 2-8 p.m. | Happy Endings Party Lounge, 723 S. 4th St., Louisville | $1-$100 | Kick off this recurring party series with vibes, music, and craft cocktails.
  • Funniest Person In Louisville Opening Round | Sunday, July 28 | 7-8:30 p.m. | TEN20 Craft Brewery, 1020 E. Washington St., Louisville | $12 | Help decide which regional comics move on in the competition to be named the Funniest Person In Louisville.
Events calendar here
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News Notes
Closing
  • Nostalgic has announced it will close on Sunday, July 28. The Highlands cocktail bar and restaurant, located at 1306 Bardstown Rd., has been open for a year and a half, and will be survived by its sister restaurant Naive Kitchen + Bar (1001 E. Washington St.).
Number
  • 110. That’s how old the Belle of Louisville will be this October. To celebrate the 110 days leading up to its birthday — or is that build-day? — the annual pass is currently $110. Check out #StillSteamyAt110 and #BelleintheWild on social media to join in on the fun.
Development
  • Churchill Downs has announced a new $90 million renovation to the grandstand area, with construction to begin next month. The project will add new ticketed seating + improved amenities, and will complement the $200 million paddock rebuild completed earlier this year. (Courier Journal)
Sports
  • The German soccer team Eintracht Frankfurt is currently training at Lynn Family Sports Vision + Training Clinic. The team will play a friendly match against Louisville City FC next Tuesday, July 30, and tickets are on sale now.
Try This
  • If you need plans before the game — The Happy Hour Market + Music is headed to the Plaza on Fourth (the corner of 4th and Jefferson Streets) from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30. Lee Isaacs and Atomic Groove Machine will provide live music as you shop local vendors and visit food trucks.
Watch
  • The August and September schedule for Iroquois Amphitheater’s free summer movie series is here. Catch double features most Thursdays and Fridays, including family fare like “Frozen,” “The LEGO Movie,” and “The Iron Giant” + classic flicks like “Enter the Dragon,” “Friday the 13th,” and “Robocop.”
Olympics
  • The 2024 Summer Olympics are happening now in Paris, France — keep up with Team USA and LOU athletes like Yared Nuguse via WHAS11. Today’s events include the opening ceremony at 1:30 p.m.
Drink Up
  • How refreshing. Drink Up Week sponsored by Heine Brothers Coffee runs through today — our annual celebration of Louisville’s drink culture. Local businesses are offering buzzy deals like toasted coconut cold brew at Heine Bros and 20% off online kombucha orders from Elixir, so treat yourself and toast to our town’s vibrant bevvy scene.
Sports
  • California transfer Myles Jernigan could see starting time this fall for Louisville football. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Cardinals with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Home
Finance
  • 2024’s “it card” is here. Not only does it offer a $200 bonus, but also unlimited 1.5% cash back and 0% intro APR until 2025. (Annual fee? We don’t know her.)*
Health
River City Distributing
 
Sports

🍌 Let’s go Bananas

See the Savannah Bananas exhibit at the Slugger Museum
a display case with savannah bananas merchandise and memorabillia
The Louisville Slugger Museum has over 3,000 original bat models in its vault. | Photo via Louisville Slugger Museum + Factory
The Slugger Museum + Factory (800 W. Main St.) is about to get a little bit sillier with a new exhibit on the Savannah Bananas exhibition baseball team — they’re like the Harlem Globetrotters of baseball.

The Bananas and their “rivals” the Savannah Party Animals will play three games at Louisville Slugger Field on Thursday, Aug. 1 through Saturday, Aug. 3.

But, if you missed getting tickets to those sold-out games, you can still catch a bit of the Bananas excitement at the museum, with a collection of memorabilia. You can even step up to the plate and swing a game-used bat from the team’s back-flipping center fielder David Meadows.

The Louisville Slugger Museum + Factory is open Mondays-Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bonus: The museum will stay open an extra hour on Friday, Aug. 2 + Saturday, Aug. 3 for the new exhibit. Tickets are on sale now.
The Buy

The Buy 7.26.24 (Affiliate)
A foldable lap desk — it’s great for those who work from home, college students heading back to school, or anyone looking to read, write, or stream while they sip coffee in bed (read: us).
More worth The Buy
 
The Wrap
 
Declan Lowthian.jpg

Today’s edition by:
Declan
From the editor
Today is National Bagelfest Day, so I started my morning with a veggie sandwich from Cold Smoke Bagels at Logan Street Market. That sandwich is so popular in my household we have a poster of it hung up on our fridge.
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